2021 Maybach S 580 Tips the Scales at $184,900

Jason R. Sakurai
by Jason R. Sakurai
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2021 maybach s 580 tips the scales at 184 900

Yesterday, Maybach heralded the arrival of the S 580, with the type of announcement you’d expect if you started at $184,900, or roughly 69 percent of the $269,039 median home price nationwide, according to Zillow.com.

Considering that Beverly Hills, California is the only place in the U.S. where I’ve seen more Maybachs on the street than in a dealership, maybe comparing the cost of the new S 580 to that of the median home price across the country is a little unfair. No, if we take the median home price in the 90077 zip code, that of Bel Air, California, at $2.225 million, that’s only 8.3 percent. This is less than when you take the average price paid for a 2020 Toyota Tacoma, $27,895 according to CarGurus, compared to the national median home price of $269,039, which would be 10.36 percent.

Now that we have the 2021 Maybach S 580 in proper perspective at the level for which it was intended, it seems like something of a bargain. Consider that you get all the technology of a top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz, plus the allure and status that the Maybach nameplate implies. As you’d expect, most of the information on the Maybach is centered on how it feels and the experience it delivers. We’ll get to that in a moment, after discussing what drives the S 580.

First, the Maybach S 580 4MATIC has a mild-hybrid-drive, 48-volt electrified 496 horsepower, 516 lb-ft/torque biturbo V8 engine, with Airmatic air suspension. There’s what Mercedes refers to as counter-phased sound waves to reduce low-frequency noise and a new dynamic select mode for the Maybach that provides smoother acceleration. Rear-axle steering with up to 10 degrees of steering angle improves maneuverability in the narrow, back alleys of Beverly Hills, and at low speeds much like that of a compact car.

If the yardstick by which every vehicle is judged is the size of their multimedia touch screen, then the Maybach’s 12.8-inch OLED display in the center console, and five screens in the front and rear, are indicative of leadership. Mercedes-Benz User Experience’s (MBUX) second-generation infotainment system debuts on the Maybach, with individual profiles accessible through biometric, fingerprint authentication. A bit too over-the-top even for a James Bond film? Speakers integrated into the front seats allow only the driver to hear navigation instructions, an otherwise-odious distraction for anyone along for the ride. Active ambient lighting is used to support driver assistance systems, or to acknowledge the MBUX user.

With 30 speakers and eight resonators, the Burmester 4D surround sound system goes beyond a three-dimensional listening experience to achieve 4D sound. In addition to music reproduction, the 4D sound is used to create an even more intense, emotional connection when paired with the standard energizing comfort system.

Last but not least, new rear-seat airbags can reduce the impact on the head and neck of outer-rear passengers in the event of a frontal collision. The 2021 Maybach S 580 is a 2021 model that actually arrives in 2021, sometime around mid-year.

[Image: Maybach]

Jason R. Sakurai
Jason R. Sakurai

With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.

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  • FreedMike FreedMike on Mar 12, 2021

    Another car for people for more money than taste. Bleaaaach. It doesn't say "wealthy" me to me - it says "21-year-old point guard who just got a signing bonus and is going to be broke within two years of retirement". Put this in a pit with a Cullinan, fill the pit with gas, light a match, and see which one explodes first.

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Mar 12, 2021

    Maybach was very popular in Russia in certain circles, in other words for nouveau-riches in gas and oil exporting countries. It is not made for European consumption. Too big and obnoxious for that.

    • El scotto El scotto on Mar 15, 2021

      @ Inside Looking Out Sir, the irony of your "for nouveau-riches in gas and oil exporting countries". Like yours. Yet poor internet trolls like you like you schlepp around St. Petersburg in your Skodas. Then you imply that Russia isn't a European country. I know we get the B-team trolls on a dinky car site like this but jeez Louise keep this up and you won't get new kneepads.

  • TomCat1967 Seems a bit steep, but a nice-looking example. Used to see low milage examples at dealers at well over $20K in the last year or so. Too bad Honda decided to pull the Fit/Jazz for US/Canada as I see several around almost daily.
  • Real Talk USA got Japanese made fits for this generation. Canada gets slave-labour made in china Fits after 2012
  • Ajla Tough crowd here when it comes to expensive cars.
  • Alouisis Stellantis can blame California all day long, but they seem to be the only company that is having difficulty coping. They have no BEV in the market and apparently no strategy to be in the first world, future car business. The EU has similar rules, so Stellantis is positioning themselves as suitable for only 3rd world markets.
  • Auto Motive Stellantis doesnt sell an ev because of foreign ownership. Dodge muscle catered to the those that breathe gas as if drinking coffee.Their late to the party in CA for ignoring specific reqts on law. Now gaslighting its CA fault. They know that their ev concept was not received well by the masses of Dodge boys. Hipe ev with a engine sound is a joke!Add a v6 to your new ev truck and pricecit for the ultra wealthy not a mopar blue collar dude. DOA for Dodge ev if it ever happens.
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